BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 357 
51. Famity Ictsri~s. Buacksrrps, Ortoues, Erc. (Fig. 63.) 
This distinctively American family is most abundantly represented in 
the tropics, where the majority of the one hundred and fifty odd known 
species are found, only nineteen advancing north of Mexico. With 
the exception of the Orioles, they are gregarious after the nesting season, 
while some of the species nest in colonies and are found in flocks through- 
out the year. They differ markedly in habits, and are found living in 
ground of every nature, from dry plains and wet marshes to the densest 
forest growth. Some species possess marked vocal ability, while the 
voices of others are harsh and unmusical. They feed on fruit, seeds, 
grain and insects. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
I. With yellow or orange in the underparts. 
II. Underparts black with or without metallie reflections. 
III. Underparts grayish, slate-color, chestnut or buffy. 
IV. Underparts black and white, or black, tipped or margined with rusty. 
I. With yellow or orange in the underparts. 
1. Throat or breast-crescent black. 
a. Back black . . Sa > be bh 8 507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 
b. Back greenish . . 506. OrcHARD ORIOLE (¢# im.). 
c. A black or blackish crescent on the breast; outer tail-feathers white. 
501. MzapowLarK. 50la. WESTERN MEADOWLARK. 
2. Throat not black, no breast-crescent. 
A. Entire underparts yellow, vellomieh, or orange. 
a. Rump and tail orange . . 507. Battimore Or1ove (9 and im.). 
b. Underparts yellowish green . 506. ORcHARD ORIOLE (9 and im.). 
c. Upperparts brownish, streaked and spotted with black; tail- 
feathers pointed. . . 494. Bospouinx (¢ ad. @, fall and im. i 
B. Throat and asta vallow or yellowish; belly black or dark grayish 
brown . . . . . 497, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. 
Il. Underparts black, aie or without metallic reflections. 
A. Outer tail-feathers °75 or more shorter than middle ones; bill 1°00 or 
more in length. 
. Tailover6°00 . . . . . . . 513, Boat-raILep GRACKLE 3. 
6. Tail under 6° 00. 
b'. Back bronzy purple or shining, bas taieh green, the feath- 
ers with iridescent bars . . . PURPLE GRACKLE 3 
62. Back bronze, without iridescent bars. 
511b. Bronzep GRACKLE ¢. 
b8. Back bottle-green, the feathers more purple at their base, and 
with a narrow iridescent bar near the middle. 
51la. FuoripA GRACKLE @. 
64. Back bluish black, with or without iridescent bars. 
511. Purpe GrRacKLE (¢). 5lla. Frorma GRACKLE 9. 
B. Outer tail-feathers little if any shorter than middle ones; bill less 
than 1°00 in length. 
a. Entire plumage bluish black, the Seats sometimes tipped with 
uffy or rufous . 509. Rusry BiacksBirp ¢. 
6. Ared and buff shoulder-patch . ' : Rep-wincep BLACKBIRDS @. 
c. Head and neck all around seal-brown . . - 495. CowBIRD 2. 
d. Nape buffy, rump whitish . . . . . . 494. Boponinx g, 
